Proper Paws Dog Training

05/09/2026

UPDATE! TRICKS CLASS NOW ROLLING ENROLLMENT UNTIL AUGUST.
https://www.properpaws.biz/courses/tricks
Start when YOU want to start, do 6 any six week between now and the end of August.

This class offers you the opportunity to teach your puppy/dog a variety of tricks including appropriately sized, A frame, tunnels, ladder and teeter totter equipment as well as non-equipment related tricks like crawl, sit pretty, spin, rollover, bow and more. Your 6 week class can include taking the...

05/06/2026

Our level 2 assessment, the Bronze DISC Assessment, is no joke! Before service dog teams can continue in our DISC classes to advanced classes, they must pass this evaluation. It assesses the dog's comfort with a variety of strangers, handling, noises, moving objects, and other dogs. It also tests the dog's ability to perform several foundational cues in a public access environment. A trainer whom the dog has never met before performs the evaluation. Mugdha and Miso passed with flying colors! Great work, you two! Thank you, Judy Bernard of Proper Paws, for performing the evaluation. It takes a village to train a service dog!

04/24/2026

Love puppy culture!

If a puppy can hold his urine in a crate for a two hour nap, that does not mean that he can hold his urine when awake and active for two hours. We do cover this in the house and crate training section of our puppy course, (link in comments) but here is the jist of it.

A student wrote in with the "problem" that her puppy would go outside and p*e, and then come back inside the house and, ten minutes later, p*e again. Now, this "double and triple p**p and p*e" is a developmental stage and we do cover it in the puppy course. It's totally normal, it takes a while for them to learn to and/or be able to evacuate their bladder and bowels completely in one shot.

So I reminded her where the course material was on that and suggested she review it again.

And she replied to me, well, no it's not that because we are already onto the "Puppy's First Kegels" and the puppy can take a nap in a crate for two hours with no distress, so it can't be that the puppy has to go ten minutes after he goes outside.

Here's the thing. A puppy's ability to hold it is going to depend very much on context...that's what the "Toilet Tells" and "Potty Predictors" in the course are about. When a puppy (or a human) sleeps, they (we) produce an antidiuretic hormone that suppresses urine production.

That's why you can sleep 8 hours a night without needing to get up and urinate, or maybe urinate once. But if you work 8 hours in an office you will be urinating many times during the day.

Just an aside, some people don't produce a lot of that antidiuretic hormone and they need to get up many times a night to p*e, but normally you won't need to get up many times a night to p*e.

Yet another aside, as you (and your dog) age, you often will produce less of that antidiuretic hormone at night, which is why older people and dogs often need to go more frequently.

But the main point here is that sleeping in a crate is a biological context that is very, very, different from being awake and active.

And it's completely normal for a 15 week old puppy to p*e outside and then come inside and p*e again within a few minutes, especially if he's playing or excited...those states of emotional arousal stimulate the bladder and urine production and make it harder for the puppy to hold it.

I'm putting aside specific advice for house training because that's what the course is about. But I want to reassure puppy owners that:

🐶Double p*es are normal,

🐶A puppy's ability to hold urine depends on the context, and

🐶You can't set the bar for how long a puppy can hold urine by how long he can nap without needing to get up and p*e🐕.

04/13/2026

THIS!

04/06/2026

Bringing home a puppy? Welcome to the best (and messiest) few weeks of your life — and yes, you can handle it. I’ve put together a simple, evidence-based action plan to help you and your new pup settle in with less stress and more joy.

Start by creating a safe Puppy Zone with a comfy bed, bowls, and a few reliable chew toys. Puppy-proof the space (no cords, plants, or small objects) and line up your vet and a trainer — many local pros in Concord book fast. On day one, keep introductions low-key and show them their space. Keep routines predictable (meals 3–4x/day, frequent potty breaks, short 5–10 minute training sessions) and reward outside eliminations with tasty treats.

Socialize gradually: skip dog parks at first and choose supervised socialization classes that match size and age. For chewing and biting, rotate safe chew toys and redirect gently — naps help too. Above all: be patient, stay consistent, and celebrate small wins.

If you’d like local, positive, evidence-based help (I’m here in Concord!), Proper Paws offers training rooted in 20 years of experience and fear-free methods to set you both up for success. Ready to get started? Tell me where you’re bringing your pup home from — I’ll share the first-week checklist. 🐶✨

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Those first few weeks set the tone for your relationship and your pup’s future behavior. If you’re in Concord, MA, or nearby, you want to make sure you start off on the right paw. I’ve been there, and I want to share a c...

04/06/2026

Bringing a new puppy home? Start strong with a simple action plan for those critical first weeks. From prepping your space to setting routines, potty training tips, socialization and vet visits — this guide covers what Concord, MA pet parents need to know to build a confident, well-behaved pup. Read the full plan: https://wix.to/VA1BU9e

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Those first few weeks set the tone for your relationship and your pup’s future behavior. If you’re in Concord, MA, or nearby, you want to make sure you start off on the right paw. I’ve been there, and I want to share a c...

04/03/2026

What is Puppy Socialization? 🐶

New on the Proper Paws blog: Judy Bernard breaks down why early socialization matters for confident, happy puppies — and shares simple steps you can take today. Perfect for new puppy parents!

Read more: https://wix.to/L774qLX

Puppy Socialization.mov

04/01/2026

Training your dog in Concord just got easier. 🐾 Discover essential tools and practical tips to make every session more effective and fun — from collars and clickers to reward strategies that actually work. Read the full guide and get confident with your pup today: https://wix.to/0Kczoot

Training your dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. But let’s be honest - it can also be a bit overwhelming. Where do you start? What tools do you really need? And how do you keep your furry friend motivated and happy throughout the process? If you’re in Concord, M...

03/31/2026

03/30/2026

Bringing home a puppy? Congrats — and welcome to the delightful chaos! I’ve put together essential, evidence-based tips that make training easier (and actually fun) for you and your pup. Start early, keep sessions short, and use positive reinforcement — small, consistent wins add up fast.

Quick wins you can try today:
• Set a routine: same feeding, walking and training times. Predictability helps a lot.
• Short sessions: 5–10 minutes, multiple times a day. Puppies’ attention spans are tiny.
• Reward immediately: say “YES!” and treat the moment they do it right.
• Socialize thoughtfully: expose them to new people, sounds and surfaces — make it positive.

Struggling with chewing, jumping, barking, or leash-pulling? Redirect, reward calm alternatives, and use equipment like a front-clip harness for pulls. And if you need hands-on help, Proper Paws in Concord offers positive, fear-free guidance backed by 20 years of experience and certified trainer expertise.

What’s your puppy’s biggest challenge right now? Tell me below — I’ll share a quick tip! 🐶✨

Bringing a new puppy home is one of the most exciting moments in life. But let’s be honest - it can also be a bit overwhelming. Puppies are bundles of energy, curiosity, and sometimes, mischief. If you want to raise a happy, well-behaved dog, training is key. The good news? With the right approach...